David Nolte

(2012-05-08 14:32:15)

FAMILY DEMONS. Eerie & atmospheric. A GREAT debut!!!

Mixing with the A-list in Adelaide is always a treat, thoughadmittedly, being called A-list in Adelaide is akin to being bestice-skater in Ethiopia. What does it really mean?? Thanks toon-the-rise director/producer Ursula Dabrowsky, Mel (aka RECYCLOPATH)and I were invited the the cast and crew screening of her new filmFAMILY DEMONS at Adelaide's MERCURY CINEMA.I must say that I have become severely jaded where genre films areconcerned and didn't hold out high hopes for this low-budget, indierelease. It takes something out of the ordinary to hold my interestthese days, one too many installments in the SAW series has all butsapped the life out of me. But I was pleasantly surprised to find thatUrsula has crafted a nifty, original and effective film that maintainsinterest for most of its 80 minute running time.In short it's about abuse and the ghosts that never leave us, in everysense of the term.Newcomer Cassandra Kane is excellent in the lead role as Billie, thetortured teen who ends up with blood on her hands and a terrifyingspectre following her every move. Kane really will be an actress toreckon with in years to come and given her young age it's all the moreimpressive that she carries the whole film.The supporting cast are all good, with special mention going to KerryReid as Billie's alcoholic, abusive and downright unpleasant mother.The film, for the most part, belies it's low-budget and is beautifullyshot.And, credit where it's due, it contains a twist that I certainly didn'tsee coming. Rare these days when everything is telegraphed within aninch of its life.So Kudos to all involved. It's exciting to imagine what Ursula can comeup with with a decent budget. Let's hope it's not too long till we findout.

Graeme Baxter

(2012-05-07 22:31:29)

Hard Hitting Horror with a Deep Seated Message

Don't let this title slip under your radar, by far and away one of themost impressive low budget movies to come my way this year.Filmed to give a dark, foreboding atmosphere throughout, this moviewill grab you by the throat and not let up until you get to theclimatic ending.The relationships the director portrays throughout, are well developedand leave you in no doubt as to what the message is she's trying to putacross. Very very impressive with a very dark subject matter, that whilst thehorror elements adds to the feeling, the actual message contained init, is far more frightening.Don't Miss This.